Marine Mammals Flashcards
1
Q
What is Allen’s rule?
A
- Maximising surface area increases heat loss
* Minimising surface area minimises heat loss.
2
Q
What is Bergmann’s rule?
A
Species of larger size are found in colder regions and species of smaller size are found in warmer regions generally.
3
Q
What are CCHEs?
A
- Countercurrent heat exchangers
* Present in some whales mouths to reduce heat loss when gulping cold water.
4
Q
How do marine mammals manage blood flow to extremities?
A
2 venous return systems.
5
Q
Give examples of mammalian dive responses.
A
- Breathing cessation
- Bradycardia
- Vasoconstriction
- Reduced aerobic metabolism
- O2 depletion
- CO2 increase
- Lactic acid accumulation.
6
Q
What physical adaptions do marine mammals have for conserving heat?
A
- Fur traps layer of warm air/water e.g. seals
- Fatty deposits for insulation e.g. Polar bears
- Brown fat e.g. Seal pups (useful as they lack insulating layer).
7
Q
What are the different types of divers and give examples.
A
- Shallow e.g. Sea otters
- Intermediate e.g. Bottlenose dolphin
- Deep e.g. Weddell seal.
